“You have sorrow now, but I will see you again and then you will rejoice; and no one can rob you of that joy. I have told you these things, so that YOU CAN HAVE PEACE BECAUSE OF ME. In this world you will have trouble. But CHEER UP! I HAVE WON THE BATTLE over the world.” (John 16:22, 33) Why did Jesus win the battle? Because, “…unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, PRINCE OF PEACE.” (Isa. 9:6) The Prince of Peace divinely instructed us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” (Matt. 5:9) Jesus gave us this wonderful assurance, “Peace I LEAVE WITH YOU, My peace I GIVE TO YOU; not as the world gives DO I GIVE TO YOU. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
This is one of the most amazing and wonderful and kindest things in the Bible to realize that just hours before Jesus was crucified He was concerned for OUR TRUE PEACE. Think of it. He is about to be tortured to death with one of the most horrific means of torture ever devised, and His burden was to manifest in the souls of his followers PERFECT PEACE. Paul caught the spirit of this wonderful peace and said, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and THE PEACE OF GOD, which PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)
These are such wonderful and very hopeful promises, but how can we sure they will be kept? Jesus said this to us, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and MANIFEST MYSELF TO HIM.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and WE WILL COME TO THEM AND LIVE IN THEM.” (John 14:21-23 CEV)
-Bill Stockham